Most classes for adults are on Mondays and Wednesdays; the exceptions are the Intensive Course in the summer, which takes place five evenings a week, and our special classes on Tuesday evenings. Morning classes are from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., evening classes from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Classes in Rosenberg and The Woodlands are held on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We teach all levels of proficiency, corresponding to the Goethe-Institut designations: A1.1 – A1.2 – A2/B1 – B1/B2 – B2/C1 – C1/C2. The objectives and contents of these courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We use the instruction material used by Goethe-Instituts world-wide. Course materials will be made available on the first day of class; the cost is approximately $50 ($25 for a course book and $25 for a work book), if you do not have one from a prior class. Unfortunately, the books are not available on Amazon or any other internet site. Materials for the children’s classes will be made available, but remain the property of GIS.

Our students often have different levels of experience in the German language. In order for proper placement of each student, we determine the level of proficiency during a special testing day or on the first day of a course, and form the classes accordingly.

Returning students receive a discount of ten percent, and there is an early bird discount for each session (see below). We reserve the right to cancel a course that does not have the requisite number of students enrolled.

Corporate Classes.We also offer classes to your employees at your facilities at your convenience. Please contact Angelika at angelika@germansouthwest.org or 713-822-4257 for more information.

Private Tutoring. We offer private tutoring from our highly qualified instructors on an hourly time basis in packages of ten hours per purchase. Existing students of our institute and students enrolled in high schools or universities enjoy a discount. Please contact Angelika at angelika@germansouthwest.org or 713-822-4257 for more information.

Reading and Translating German Texts In 5 Weeks! (Registration Closed)

Reading and Translating German Texts In 5 Weeks!
The German Institute for the Southwest is offering a unique course for graduate students who must demonstrate proficiency in a second language or in German.

Reading knowledge of German as research tool

Demonstrate proficiency in a second language

Accelerated study and analysis of grammar and linguistic structures of German scholarly and scientific literature

5 Weeks – 30 sessions @ 3 hours each

Graduate students often must demonstrate proficiency in a second language. Some students opt for two or more semesters of language study, while others choose to prepare for a reading and translation exam. If you’re in the latter group, this course — Reading and Translating German Texts — is for you.

Over five weeks, in 30 sessions of three hours each, you’ll come to understand the nuts and bolts of German grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. In addition, you’ll learn effective strategies for avoiding common translation pitfalls and translating German texts into idiomatic English.

The course will move at a brisk pace and homework will be frequent (read: daily) and substantial. You will learn how to pronounce German, but speaking German and understanding spoken German is not what this course is about. It is about preparing you to comprehend and then translate German texts from a variety of academic disciplines into decent English prose. In other words, it’s intended to get you ready for your reading and translation exam.

We offer this course two times this summer, from May 29 to July 1, 2017, and from July 17 to August 26, 2017, Mondays through Fridays from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the American Red Cross, 2700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77098, with a “floating” three hour session on the weekends conducted via Skype. The course is taught by a Rice University Emeritus Faculty member, and the cost is $4,500 per course. Please contact us for more information at info@germansouthwest.org or call 713-822-4257.

This course on the A2 level focuses on conversation, and includes grammar and vocabulary instruction. The basis for our discussions are diverse topics from everyday life, news in the media, etc. A2 proficiency is required.

Tuesday Evening Classes, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

September 12, 19, and 26

October 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31

November 7, and 14

10 classes

Each class is 1½ hours long and includes two 45-minute teaching units

Early Registration ends Sunday, August 27, 2017 (you get a $15 discount)

Regular Registration ends Sunday, September 3, 2017

Late Registration begins on Monday, September 4, 2017 (you pay $15 more for the course)